HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-17 ENR Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Monday, June 17, 2019
Council Chambers, City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order
at 7 p.m. by Chair Redmond.
2. ROLL CALL
Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Absent
Joe Gould, Commissioner Present
Mollie Miller, Vice Chair Absent
Candace Okeson, Commissioner Present
Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present
Ted Redmond, Chair Present
Tom Sinn, Commissioner Absent
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Jeff Thomson, Community Development Director
Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer
Meg Hannasch, Sustainability Intern
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Staff added Maplewood Trash and Recycling RFP to Staff Presentations.
Commissioner Palzer moved to approve the agenda as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Gould. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Gould moved to approve the May 20, 2019, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Okeson. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. NPDES Phase II and MS4 Permit, 2018 SWPPP Annual Report
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item.
ii. Assistant City Engineer, Jon Jarosch gave the NPDES Phase II and MS4 Permit,
2018 SWPPP Annual Report and answered questions of the commission.
The ENR Commission had the following questions and comments about the report:
• How should residents drain their pools? We discussed the city requirement for
dechlorinating the water first, and then draining the pool water into the yard so it
filters into the lawn area. Pools should not be drained directly to a storm drain.
The city should do some public education around pool draining right after the
summer months.
• How do residents learn about stormwater best practice grants that are available
through the watershed district? The city has three watershed districts in its
boundaries. All offer some form of cost sharing grant for residents to implement
stormwater best management practices, such as a rain garden in their yard. The
city should partner with the Watershed Districts and do some public education
around the grant opportunities.
• Is there a concern about residents washing cars in their driveway? It is better for
the environment to take your car to a car wash where the water is filtered prior to
entering the storm system. If residents wash cars at home, it is best to wash the
car on the lawn so the water filters into the lawn area. The city should do some
public education on tips for at home car washing.
No action was required.
b. Community Development Director and Sustainability Intern Introductions
i. Community Development Director, Jeff Thomson introduced himself to the
commission.
ii. Sustainability Intern, Meg Hannasch introduced herself to the commission.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Community Food Assessment Follow Up – Caiti Pyrz, St. Paul – Ramsey
County Public Health Intern
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced Caiti Pyrz for the update on the
Community Food Assessment Follow Up.
ii. Caiti Pyrz, St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health Intern addressed the
commission with an update on the Community Food Assessment and answered
questions of the commission.
The Maplewood CFA included recommendations for the City to improve food
security and food access for the residents of Maplewood. Caiti Pyrz reviewed
implementation strategies for moving those recommendations forward. Through
her work with the County, Caiti is able to assist the City with a local food guide
and supply the City with a list of local food resources. Caiti will present a draft of
the guide at a future ENR meeting.
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7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Maplewood Trash and Recycling RFP staff gave a brief update.
b. Waterfest Follow Up – No Report – Meg gave an update on Waterfest which
took place on June 1, 2019.
c. Planning for Resilient Cities - June 20, 2019 at Roseville Oval Ice Skating
Arena.
d. Light It Up Maplewood! – July 4, 2019 4-10 p.m. (no report)
e. Ramsey County Fair – July 10-July 14 free event (no report)
f. National Night Out – August 6, 2019 (no report) more information to follow.
g. Maplewood Nature Center Programs
i. For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249-
2170.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Redmond adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
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